Legal Question in Employment Law in Vermont

Got fired, possible libel/slander

For the past 8 years I have been teaching at an adult piano camp. It is a sort of a piano retreat which takes place in a private home, where people stay, eat, practice the piano, get lessons, gather socially, drink, use exercising machines and the hot tub, get massages, etc.

I live in Israel and I traveled to the US 10 times a year for this 10 day program, paying for my flights with no reimbursement. About 10 days after I returned home from the September session and about 10 days before the next session in October, I received email telling me that I should not return to camp, there was no explanation. When I got the firing notice, I had already bought airline tickets and paid for both my then upcoming trips to the US in October and in November. Camp owner/director maintains a Yahoo Egroup for the participants. Many posts were in my favor and some were not. 2 women added to their negative posts about me something to the effect that I was making sexual innuendos and that I behaved sexually inappropriately. I can provide 100 other women who would say otherwise. Owner started spreading a rumor about me and sexual harassment. Do you see here a case of slander?

Am I entitled to any compensations?


Asked on 12/10/05, 6:07 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Mark S. Moroknek Kelly & Curtis, PLLC.

Re: Got fired, possible libel/slander

Possibly, depending on the words used in the posts and the statements.

This would be brought in Federal Court if you are an Israeli citizen. The first issue to establish is whether what was said and posted on the internet were opinions or statements intended to be accepted as factual.

If the statemens were intended to be factual and are false then they are actionable. You would be able to sue the internet company that alowed them to be posted as well.

If you wish to discuss this further please email me.

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Answered on 12/10/05, 10:28 am
Mark S. Moroknek Kelly & Curtis, PLLC.

Re: Got fired, possible libel/slander

If you want to recover the costs of your ticket and any further compensation due you I would need to know more about the terms of your employment agreement.

However, it sounds as though you should be able to recover the fare at the least, and perhaps quite a bit more.

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Answered on 12/10/05, 10:42 am


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